Australian and NZ timber
Australian hardwood for export
Spotted gum, blackbutt, jarrah, ironbark and Tasmanian oak for decking, cladding, joinery and structure.
Some of the densest, most durable timbers on earth, and they look it.
Warm colours, bold grain and a long life outdoors have made them favourites for decks, cladding and facades.
Species guide
Meet the species
- Spotted gum. A lively, wavy grain. One of the most popular decking timbers in the country.
- Blackbutt. Pale gold and straight-grained.
- Jarrah. From Western Australia. A deep red that looks oiled even when it is not.
- Red ironbark. The hardest and most durable of the group, used in heavy civil work.
- Tasmanian oak. Paler and lighter, for furniture and joinery. Not suited to outdoor exposure.
Western Australia ended commercial logging of its native forests on 1 January 2024. Jarrah now comes mainly from forest thinning, approved mine-site clearing and recycled stock. Volumes are smaller and prices higher, especially for long decking lengths.
If jarrah is hard to source for your project, spotted gum, merbau and tali give a similar look and performance. Our decking timber guide compares them.
Spotted gum, blackbutt and red ironbark are on the bushfire-resisting list in AS 3959, which makes them useful where a deck faces a bushfire rating.
Bushfire-rated options
Three species suit decks in bushfire-prone areas.
Your choice of finish
Decking, cladding and sawn boards, raw or coated.
Supply varies
Volumes change by species and season, and jarrah is limited, so tell us your quantities early.
Technical data
How they compare
| Species | Botanical name | Grown in | Density (seasoned) | Janka hardness | Durability (above / in ground) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted gum | Corymbia maculata, C. citriodora | New South Wales, Queensland | about 1,000 to 1,100 kg/m³ | about 10 kN | Class 1 / Class 2 | Decking, cladding, structure |
| Blackbutt | Eucalyptus pilularis | New South Wales, Queensland | about 900 kg/m³ | about 9 kN | Class 1 / Class 2 | Decking, cladding, joinery |
| Jarrah | Eucalyptus marginata | South-west Western Australia | about 820 to 840 kg/m³ | about 8.5 kN | Class 2 / Class 2 | Decking, furniture, feature timber |
| Red ironbark | Eucalyptus sideroxylon | New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland | about 1,050 kg/m³ | about 12 kN | Class 1 / Class 1 | Heavy civil work, sleepers, decking |
| Tasmanian oak | Eucalyptus regnans, E. obliqua, E. delegatensis | Tasmania, Victoria | about 650 to 750 kg/m³ | about 5 kN | Class 3 / Class 4 | Joinery, furniture, mouldings |
Durability classes follow AS 5604 (Class 1 is the most durable) and apply to heartwood. Figures are typical published values from Australian sources such as WoodSolutions, given as a guide. They vary with growth, grade and moisture. We confirm the specification for your shipment with the quote.
Structural grades compared
Australian structural hardwood is graded into F-grades under AS 2082. For projects designed to European strength classes, here is the nearest EN 338 hardwood class for each.
| Australian F-grade (AS 1720.1) | Bending strength | Stiffness | Nearest European class (EN 338) |
|---|---|---|---|
| F14 | 36 MPa | 12,000 MPa | D35 to D40 |
| F17 | 42 MPa | 14,000 MPa | D40 to D50 |
| F22 | 55 MPa | 16,000 MPa | D50 to D55 |
| F27 | 67 MPa | 18,500 MPa | D65 |
| F34 | 84 MPa | 21,500 MPa | D75 to D80 |
A guide only, matched on characteristic bending strength and mean stiffness. The two systems test and define grades differently, so these are nearest matches, not certified equivalents.
The grade available depends on the species, the section size and whether the timber is seasoned. In the United States, hardwood design values are set by species in the National Design Specification rather than by a strength class, so there is no direct US match.
Your engineer designs to the grade on the timber. We confirm the grading standard on your quote.
Where it is used
Where it goes
- Decks and verandahs
- Boardwalks and public spaces
- Cladding and feature walls
- Furniture and benchtops
- Architectural joinery
Specification
Supply details
| Decking | 90 x 19 mm and 140 x 19 mm |
| Cladding | 19 x 135 mm |
| Sawn boards | 25, 38, 50 and 75 mm thick |
| Lengths | 1.8 to 5.4 m, random or set |
| Appearance grades | Select, standard or feature grade, in line with AS 2796 grading rules |
| Structural grades | F-grades such as F17 and F27 to AS 2082, on request |
| Moisture content | Kiln dried (KD) to about 10 to 15% for decking and joinery. Heavy structural sections are supplied unseasoned or air dried (AD) |
| Packing | Strapped, wrapped packs, marked by species, grade and size. ISPM 15 heat-treated and stamped bearers and dunnage on request, depending on the destination |
| Minimum order | One container, 20 or 40 foot, depending on the lengths required |
| Documents | Certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, packing list, the mill’s chain-of-custody certificate where it holds one, and any fumigation or heat-treatment certificate the destination requires |
Tell us what you need. We will reply as soon as possible.
Australian hardwood FAQs
Which species suits decking best?
Spotted gum and blackbutt are the most popular. Choose ironbark for very high traffic or commercial use.
How long does an order take?
Typically 4 to 8 weeks from confirmed order to your port, depending on requirements, including the species, the volume and the shipping route. For popular species in bulk, ask us early so we can reserve the volume.
Is it responsibly harvested?
It comes from licensed forestry operations. Where certified timber is required, we source from FSC or PEFC certified mills and pass the mill’s certificates on to you.
My project is designed to European D classes. Can you supply to that?
Send us the class, say D40 or D50, with the sections. We will match the Australian F-grade that meets it and confirm the grading on the quote.
What does the Janka figure mean?
It measures how hard the surface is to dent. The higher the number, the better a board resists heels, furniture and heavy foot traffic.
Can I mix species in one container?
Sometimes. It depends on the species, sizes and quantity of each, and we generally load no more than two species in one container, from the same mill or supplier.
Who it’s for
For importers and project buyers overseas
- Timber importers and distributors
- Decking and cladding contractors
- Builders, developers and architects
- Marine and civil contractors
- Hotel and resort projects
Exported by the container to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific and Indian Ocean islands, or any other port. Quoted FOB, CFR or CIF. See how we work.
Ask what is available
Tell us the species, profile and volume, and we will check supply and send a price.